HAEMORRHOIDS are swollen veins in the lowest part of the anus. They are also commonly called piles. Sometimes the walls of these blood vessels are stretched so thin that the veins bulge and get irritated, especially when one is opening bowels.
Piles are one of the most common causes of bleeding from the anus. They are not necessarily dangerous and often go away on their own, but sometimes need treatment. Symptoms depend on whether piles are INTERNAL or EXTERNAL.
SYMPTOMS
INTERNAL PILES are found deep inside the rectum that you can't usually see or feel them. They are generally not painful because humans have very few pain sensors at that level. Symptoms for internal piles are:
1. Blood in stool, on toilet paper after wiping, or in the toilet bowl,
2. You might notice a fleshy bulge outside the anal opening and his may be very painful, especially when opening bowels. These usually go back inside on their own. Even if they don't, they can often be gently pushed back into place.
EXTERNAL PILES are usually found under the skin that surrounds the exit of the anus, the said area has many pain sensors. Symptoms of external piles include:
1. Pain
2. Bleeding
3. Itching
4. Swelling
A blood clot can turn a piles purple or blue or black as the case may be. This is called a thrombosis and your doctor calls this thrombosed haemorrhoids. It can be very painful, itch, and bleed. When the clot dissolves, you may have a bit of skin left over, which could gets irritated.
WHAT CAUSES PILES
1. They run in families. You are more likely to get piles if other family members have them.
2. Secondly, Pressure building up in the rectum can affect blood flow and make the veins swell. That may happen from: pushing hard as you open bowels; straining when lifting something heavy; obesity; pregnancy (when your big uterus presses on your veins); a diet low in fiber; anal sex.
3. People who stand or sit for a long time.
4. Constipation or diarrhoea that doesn’t go away.
Cough, sneezing and vomiting are NOT causes but could make existing piles worse.
TREATMENT
Symptoms usually go away on their own. Here are some things you could do at home: lifestyle changes can often relieve mild symptoms within 2 to 7 days by eating a high fibre diet, that means foods like fruits, vegetables, and grains. Try not to strain when you pupu; drinking a lot of water to soften your pupu. Warm sitz baths (sitting in a dish of salty water) for 20 minutes several times a day can also make you feel better. Ice packs can ease pain and swelling.
Should the home remedies fail your doctor’s treatment plan will depend on how bad your symptoms are. If your symptoms are severe the doctor will recommend surgery immediately. If not, your doctor will give you medicines and if the medicines fail he/she will recommend surgery.
In case you need help call 0770031234 or visit any doctor near you.
(Image by TERRALAB)
0 Comments